World-class nanoceramic endoprostheses
Healthy nanotechnology
Natalia Kovalenko, Voice of RussiaJoint diseases are a scourge of modern society.
According to statistics, every third person in the world suffers from this disease. Moreover, the disease is significantly "younger" – if earlier arthritis and rheumatism affected older people most often, now a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition provoke joint diseases already in schoolchildren. All of them are potential patients of an orthopedic surgeon.
Fortunately, modern medicine can offer the replacement of any joint with an artificial one, and the life of a person with an endoprosthesis remains as full as before the operation. The only question is how soon the patient will go under the knife again to replace the prosthesis. Traditional artificial joints, consisting of metal and polyethylene, are designed for 10 years of service. Nanoceramic prostheses are capable of functioning for 20 years, says Valery Prokhorenko, MD, Deputy Director of the Novosibirsk Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics.
"Nanoceramic endoprostheses are practically not erased. The peculiarity of endoprostheses is in their rubbing pair. So, when the rubbing parts are made of nanoceramics, this fundamentally affects the durability of the functioning of the endoprosthesis. Nanotechnology is designed to achieve a super-maximum effect with minimal tissue destruction."
Now such ceramics are produced at the world's only CeramTec plant in Germany. However, Novosibirsk scientists have managed to create a ceramic semi-finished product of even better quality, experts say. The manufacturers themselves – employees of the enterprise created jointly by the Rusnano Corporation and the Novosibirsk Electric Vacuum Plant Soyuz – are modest before summing up the results of the tests. Says Ilya Nadorshin, Senior Investment Manager at Rusnano.
"Within the framework of the project, it is planned to produce two types of medical ceramic products – for the hip joint and an implant for the spine. The current parameters of the products comply with international quality standards, which are imposed on the strength of ceramics, the size of ceramic grains, as well as chemical composition."
Clinical trials of nanoceramic endoprostheses have already begun in Novosibirsk. After testing and obtaining a certificate, the implantation of a durable prosthesis will be put on stream. Moreover, Russia will be able not only to produce nanoceramic joints for its needs, but also to supply ceramic semi-finished products for the world's leading companies. In particular, Johnson & Johnson has already become interested in the project and even offered its assistance in its implementation.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru06.12.2012